Hold the Pen: Why Every Woman’s Story Matters

A Conscious Women Circle Webinar Series

Thank you to author, Shobha Nihalani, for sharing with us during a webinar for the Conscious Women Circle hosted on the Cascade Conscious Community platform in January 2026.

Author is writing at her desk. Photograph by Asmita Photography

There’s a saying I often return to: If you don’t tell your story, someone else will. For years, I helped others share their stories, guiding authors through the maze of ideas, drafts, and deadlines. Yet it took me a while to realize that I, too, had a story, one of dreams, doubt, resilience, and growth.

Writing my first book was an act of courage more than creativity. I was a mother, a daughter, a wife, a woman juggling multiple identities. But when I sat down to write, something shifted. I discovered that holding the pen, quite literally, gave me ownership of my life’s narrative. No longer was I defined by what happened to me; I became the author of what I would make from it.

Through the process of writing books, I found my voice not the voice that tries to sound perfect or impressive, but the one that feels true, raw, and real. It’s the voice that says, This is who I am, and this is what I’ve learned along the way.

Lessons from the Journey

Writing, and life, have taught me several powerful lessons:

• Your voice is your power. When you use it, you inspire others to find theirs.

• Perfection isn’t the goal. Your story’s strength lies in its imperfections.

• Courage grows through sharing. Each time you speak your truth, you strengthen others to do the same.

• Growth is never linear. Like a first draft, life requires editing, rewriting, and grace.

These lessons did not just help me write better, they made me a better woman, mother, and mentor. They taught me to listen more deeply, to own my journey, and to celebrate how far I’ve come, even when the path was uncertain.

For Women Ready to Begin

If you’re a woman standing on the edge of change, perhaps longing for something new, or simply craving meaning in the familiar, consider this your invitation.

Start by asking yourself:

• What moments in my life shaped who I am today?

• What truths or stories have I kept quiet, waiting for the “right time”?

• How might my journey help someone else feel less alone?

You don’t have to write a book tomorrow. You only have to start noticing the whispers of wisdom, the unspoken resilience, the fragments of your experiences that deserve light.

Because when women tell their stories, we don’t just write, we rewrite what’s possible.

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